For more than 40 years, Tempo Theatre has been entertaining audiences and providing opportunities for amateur theatre makers to pursue their passion for all aspects of theatre production. From the company's origin as a producer of musicals, Tempo has evolved to create a niche for itself as the producer, largely of British and American comedies, farces, murder mysteries and thrillers. Its latest offering continues this tradition with Tempo's production of playwright and novelist Ira Levin's mystery thriller, Deathtrap, written in 1978. Deathtrap with its intriguing plot, surprising twists and unexpected consequences recalls the malevolent deception of Dial M For Murder or the deadly cat and mouse confrontation of Sleuth. Levin's earlier novels Rosemary's Baby and The Boys From Brazil, adapted into films, also inhabit aspects of the thriller. Briefly, a once highly successful playwright, Sidney Bruhl, convincingly played by Paul Jackson, is losing his touch when he receives a new play from brilliant up and coming playwright Clifford Anderson, played with natural ease and conviction by Sam Kentish. Murder is on his mind with wife, Myra (Salli Willings), a party to the deed. The arrivals of eccentric psychic Helga ten Dorp (Margi Sainsbury) and Bruhl's lawyer (Tony Cheshire) complicate matters in this tale of intrigue, surprise and deceit. But that's not all. There's more, much more and enough to keep an audience guessing when not everything is as it seems.

In the true tradition of the mystery thriller, Deathtrap relies on misleading clues, unexpected action, surprising irony and nail-biting tension to keep the audience riveted to the unfolding events. Director Kim Wilson directs the action with some effective physical business with deadly weaponry, but the production lacks an impending sense of danger and with it the urgency of the characters' motives. With greater confidence, tighter direction and a stronger sense of the purpose of each character's actions, this production could find the energy and the atmosphere necessary to keep an audience on the edge of their seats.

Production manager Jon Elphick and director Kim Wilson's effective and well-designed set design and construction for Deathtrap is evidence of the excellent opportunities this company offers enthusiastic amateurs to be involved behind the scenes. However, the company would benefit by inviting more experienced directors to work with Tempo. This would benefit the more accomplished actors such as Jackson and Kentish, as well as less experienced cast members.

Deathtrap may entertain, but it still needs energy, pace and confidence to thrill and enthral.